5 Sounds to be Thankful for This Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to reflect on all the things we have the tendency to take for granted throughout the year.

And that includes our ability to hear.

While sight, taste, and smell are at the forefront of our mind during the holiday season, hearing often takes a back seat—that is, until we begin paying better attention.

To fully enjoy the holiday season necessitates being entirely present, and that includes being mindful of all the sounds that most of the time escape our full attention.

The following are five sounds to be mindful of and grateful for this Thanksgiving.

The sound of food sizzling – You can’t beat the aroma of roasting turkey filling the house, but have you ever paused to appreciate the sounds of a lively kitchen with food sizzling and popping and timers going off? With a house packed with hungry guests, you’re especially not going to want to miss those timers.

Conversations around the dining table – The holiday season is an opportunity to get everyone together for stimulating conversation. You won’t want to miss any big news or amusing stories from friends and family you hardly get to see. And as for those you’d rather not hear from, you’ll just have to choose your seat at the table carefully.

Thanksgiving day football – To the dismay of many non-football fans, the NFL has somehow included itself into the holiday traditions. But for the sports fans in the family, the sounds of the crowd, the big hits, and the eruption after a touchdown are difficult to match in intensity.

Thanksgiving day parades – The sound of marching bands and applauding crowds in the background is an essential of Thanksgiving day. You’ll want to ensure that you catch all of the music and festivities.

Holiday movies – Has anybody ever not eaten too much at Thanksgiving dinner? Following the big tryptophan-filled feast and lots of socializing, it’s nice to sit back, relax, and watch your favorite films.

All of these sounds augment the complete Thanksgiving experience, and the more attentive we are of them, the more we can enjoy the day. It’s an important part of remaining fully present and immersing yourself in the moment.

Regretfully, hearing loss can dull or eliminate many of these sounds. Missing out on interesting conversations, or not being able to hear the dialogue in movies, creates stress and anxiousness that should have no part in the holiday celebrations.

That’s why we’re encouraging people with hearing loss to give consideration to the use of hearing aids ahead of the holiday season. Hearing aids can enhance all five of the above sounds, bringing them into sharpened focus, possibly for the first time in a long time.